Architecture, Building and Planning - Theses
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ItemAlexander Hamilton: architect, Colac( 1969)This thesis is an attempt to record the life and work of Alexander Hamilton, 1825-19011, a Scottish mill-wright who migrated to the Colony of Victoria in 1852 and who, relatively late in life, became an architect/builder practising at Colac. The role of Hamilton in the history of the Western District settlement and expansion is important. His nationality, political and religious character ensured that he was to be entrusted with the design and erection of a great many of the Western District homesteads, public, ecclesiastical and other buildings, built in the district in the period 1873-1901. Little was known of his work until this year. The results of my research will at least provide a thorough background for more detailed research on specific buildings he designed. My thesis includes a short history of the settlement of the district; a biography of the life of Alexander Hamilton; a comprehensive list of all recorded work he undertook in the role of architect/builder/engineer; a detailed study of representative public, ecclesiastical, residential and utilitarian buildings erected under the supervision of Hamilton, followed by a critical summary. As illustration a general photographic survey and sketches of his work are included, together with copies and transcripts of some of his original documents. The very character and quality of his work demand further study. However, my thesis does attempt to provide a general survey and analysis of his career, further substantiated by specific details of architectural and engineering undertakings, but, the time available, the geographic location of his work and the fact that many of his important works are in isolated regions or since demolished, has meant that only a representative cross-section of his work could be surveyed and recorded.
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ItemTrinity College: the first twenty years of building( 1966)Trinity, as it stands today, betrays little evidence of achievement or the unique. The ‘old College’, a pleasant collection of buildings, retires quietly behind its elms and ivy. One of the buildings is perhaps the finest example of Tudor architecture in Melbourne, but another, designed by a man intimately conversant with Gothic and the architect of the first buildings at Sydney University, is most disappointing. The ‘Mid-Victorian’ Gothic Clarke building is hardly what one would have expected from Edmond Thomas Blacket. These buildings and their various styles are a testimony of the many architects involved, four of whom prepared plans for the entire college. No more than the first stage of each scheme was ever completed. Begun prematurely in order to secure a Crown Grant of the land, temporarily reserved from sale for the purpose of erecting a Church of England College, Trinity was the first of its kind in Melbourne. Had it not prospered, it is doubtful whether the other denominations would have followed so soon after in the building of their colleges. Some 16 years after the founding of Trinity and 6 years after Ormond, the Rev. W. H. Fitchett at the opening of Queen’s College said, "had they ( Trinity and Ormond ) failed, the Methodists' would not have dared to have begun this great enterprise." However, although Trinity prospered, it did so without the benefit of large gifts and endowments. Its debts, some incurred at the very beginning, were not cleared until 16 years later. Indeed, lack of financial support was its most constant foe. (Preface)
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ItemThe architectural profession in Melbourne 1835 to 1860( 1965)As the traveller of 1835 rounded the last bend in the Yarra to glimpse the little settlement at Melbourne, his thoughts could hardly have turned to the cities of his homeland. Yet within twenty five years, its original thirteen buildings were to be obliterated in a building expansion unprecedented in Colonial history. Within this period, over one hundred architects came to Melbourne, some to stay, others to remain only briefly. The lure of gold enticed some, others, despairing of success in the overcrowded English profession, came as squatters, as architects, as speculators, some were tradesmen, engineers, surveyors. From this diverse assemblage came the designs for the more important buildings of the city. (From introduction)
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ItemNorth Carlton and the Outer Circle Railway( 1966)The aim of this essay is to make a study of the Royal Park to Clifton Hill railway and to assess any influence the line had on North Carlton.
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ItemTerrace house 174 - 182 Nicholson St, Fitzroy, Victoria( 1968)The aim of this thesis is to first capture the life and history of a block of Terrace House 174 - 182 Nicholson St, Fitzroy, Victoria, so as to form part of the record for future historians dealing with Terrace-Houses in Victoria. In relation to documenting the history of this block of Terrace-Houses, I have made it possible with the help of the Titles Office, Lands Department, Rates Office in Fitzroy Town Hall and the Melbourne Directory. My second intention is to discuss its significance physically in relation to its planning and style.
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ItemAn historical survey: undertakers and cemeteries in the Carlton area( 1967-09)Research for this thesis was made particularly difficult by the almost complete lack of authenticated information. Early Melbourne directories, themselves either incomplete or challengeable did give some indication to the names and number of early funeral directors - or undertakers, as they were known then. Facts, or statements as close to fact as possible, have had to be cross-referenced through a series of tape-recorded interviews. To add to research difficulty, a surprisingly large number of Funeral Directors refused to speak in any way, either historically or specifically, about their trade. Even those Directors who would speak freely admitted that all old records have been destroyed; particularly Sleight’s and J.D. Lewis, two of the oldest establishments close to Carlton. It has been found that few Undertakers had their headquarters (only branches) in Carlton, and in an attempt to gain their history in depth, Undertakers in the suburbs approximate to Carlton have been studied. (For complete synopsis open document)
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ItemMethodist church buildings in Victoria( 1968)My main aim here is to trace the developments of this building activity and where possible discern trends that may have relevance to church planning today.
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ItemThe Methodist church in Carlton( 1966)In writing this essay, I have attempted to trace the building activity of the Methodist Church in Carlton.
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ItemHistory from 1830-1900 of the area of land bounded by Moor, Napier, St. David and Young streets in the city of Fitzroy( 1968)The area of land bounded by Moor, Napier, St. David, Young Streets, was chosen, as the topic of this essay, because it is typical of the Fitzroy area. Thus through the study of this small area of land, one can get a general insight into the architectural history of the Fitzroy area. A second reason for its study, is that this area has been purchased by the Housing Commission of Victoria, and by industry and is to be demolished.